The Opet Festival in ancient Egypt
was one of the most important yearly festivals in the Theban area. It takes
place in the second month of Akhet, around mid-September on the Gregorian
calendar. The word opet refers to the hidden, innermost chamber of
a temple. During this festival the sacred icon of the creator-God Amun was
taken from its temple chamber in Karnak, and processed in a ram-headed barque
(ceremonial boat) through the streets to Luxor. The Barque of Amun (called
Amun-User-Hat, meaning "Amun, Mighty of Prow") was accompanied
by a colorful retinue of priests, soldiers, dancers, singers, musicians
and acrobats. It is also one of the longest festivals of the Kemetic year,
lasting 11 days. During the reign of Ramesses III it was extended to 27
days.

Also called The Beautiful Feast of
Opet, this was a celebration of the Inundation when the rich, black soil
carried by the floodwaters of the Nile would cover the fields, thereby ensuring
a bountiful harvest. But it was also the birthday of the KinglyKa
during which time the powers of Amun were tranferred through special rites
into the reigning pharaoh, who was thus renewed and re-established in the
right of rule. After the rites, the pharaoh would come out to the people
to distribute gifts, awards and food. Many days of drinking, feasting and
celebration followed.

Many followers of Kemetic Orthodoxy
continue to celebrate the Opet Festival by setting up a special altar to
Amun upon which to present daily offerings during the length of the festival.
Such offerings include beef, precious metals and strong perfumes. Cool water
is also appropriate.

Some aspects of this ancient
festival still survive in modern-day Egypt, although under a slightly different
guise honoring a 12th-century Muslim saint, Abu el-Haggag. A cloth from
his grave is draped on a specially painted and decorated boat, which is
then placed on a cart drawn by camels. The cart and its "barque"
is processed through the streets of Luxor accompanied by a military escort,
local clerics, and the descendants of the el-Haggag family.

Many thanks to Imakhu Neferuhethert of the House of
Netjer, whose extensive research into the festivals of ancient Egypt is used
as reference here. Visit her beautiful Domain
of Hethert (Hathor) to learn more about these ancient festivals, and other
aspects of Kemetic life and worship.